Cooling means for a compressor



Sept. 14, 1965 A. J. WAIBEL COOLING MEANS FOR A COMPRESSOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 27, 1964 ATTORNEY Sept. 14, 1965 J w B I 3,206,110

COOLING MEANS FOR A COMPRESSOR Filed March 27, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ANTHONY J. WA IBEL BY {5/ Q" ATTORNEY Sept. 14, 1965 A. J. WAIBEL COOLING MEANS FOR A COMPRESSOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. A/V THONY J. WAIBE L Filed March 27, 3.964

FIG. 4

ATTORNEY United States Patent M 3,206,110 COOLING MEANS FOR A COMPRESSOR Anthony J. Waihel, Painted Post, N.Y., assignor to Ingersoll-Rand Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Mar. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 355,366 7 Claims. (Cl. 230-212) This invention relates to compressors and more particularly to a means for removing the heat of the friction from the plunger or piston of a high-pressure compressor.

It is an object of this invention to provide, in a compressor, a means for removing the heat generated by the friction between the piston and the piston packing, which means does not require a source of cooling fluid independent of the fluid to be compressed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a means for utilizing the fluid which is to be compressed to remove the heat generated by the friction between the piston and the piston packing of a compressor.

A further object of this invention is to provide a flow path for a cooling fluid, which path is completely internal and does not require the use of externally disposed conduits.

Accordingly, the present invention contemplates a compressor comprising a casing or housing having a bore therein adapted to receive a plunger and cylinder assembly. The plunger and cylinder assembly comprises a sleeve defining a compression chamber, a packing surrounding the plunger for sealing the interstices between the plunger and the packing, and a valve assembly for controlling the flow of the fluid into and out of the compression chamber. Flow path means in said plunger and cylinder assembly is disposed in communication With the compression chamber to conduct the fluid for compression in indirect heat exchange relationship with the plunger and the plunger packing to remove the heat from the latter.

In one embodiment of the invention the flow path means communicates with the compression chamber to receive the compressed fluid therefrom and conduct the same in heat exchange relationship with the plunger and the plunger packing.

In another embodiment of the invention the flow path means communicates with the compression chamber and a source of the fluid to be compressed to conduct the fluid in indirect heat exchange relationship with the plunger and the plunger packing before it is conducted into the compression chamber.

The invention is particularly adapted for the compression of a gas, such as ethylene, which does not heat to very high temperatures when compressed or to any other fluid which is first cooled or refrigerated before entering the compressor.

The invention will be more fully understood from' the following detailed description thereof when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein two embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view, in cross section, of part of a compressor according to one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 1A is a fragmentary view of another part of the compressor shown in FIG. 1 joined along line AA of FIGS. 1 and 1A; 1

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view'taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, in cross section; of part of a compressor according to another embodiment of this invention;

3,206,110 Patented Sept. 14, 1965 FIG. 4A is a fragmentary View of another part of the compressor shown in FIG. 4 joined along line BB of FIGS. 4 and 4A;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a view in cross section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

Now referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, 10 generally designates a compressor according to one embodiment of this invention, which compressor comprises a casing of housing 11 having a bore 12 therein. A plunger-cylinder assembly 13 is slidably disposed within bore 12.

Plunger-cylinder assembly 13 comprises a sleeve 14 disposed within bore 12. A cylinder sleeve 15 is arranged concentrically within sleeve 14 to define a compression chamber 18. One end of cylinder sleeve 15 abuts a packing assembly 19 which may be of a conventional type comprising a plurality of abutting packing cups-seal rings 20 or an assembly as disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 65,360, filed October 27, 1960. Packing assembly 19 is arranged concentrically within sleeve 14 and about a piston or plunger 21 which projects at one end into compression chamber 18. The opposite end of plunger 21 is connected to suitable means (not shown) to elfect the reciprocation of the plunger within compression chamber 18 and movement relative to pack ing assembly 19. A valve assembly 22 for controlling the fluid flow into and from compression chamber 18 is disposed within bore 12 and in abutment against the end of cylinder sleeve 15 opposite from the packing assembly 19.

Valve assembly 22 is of the same construction as shown and disclosed in my US. Patent No. 3,077,899 except that the valve body, consisting of three abutting sections 23, 24 and 25, is disposed within a valve sleeve 26. The valve body sections 24 and 25 have an axial inlet passageway 27 which communicates at one end with a source of the fluid to be compressed, such as ethylene gas or other gaseous fluid which has been cooled, and at the opposite end with compression chamber 18 through an inlet valve 28 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports 29 in valve body section 23. Valve body section 24 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced passages 30, each of which communicates at one end with ports 29 in valve body section 23 and with ports 31 in valve body section 25 through a ring-shaped outlet valve 32. The valve body section 25 extending beyond sleeve 26 is of an enlarged diameter so as to define with sleeve 26 and the" surface of bore 12 an annular outlet chamber 33. Ports 31 are in communication with outlet chamber 33 by a plurality of radially extending passageways 34 so that the compressed fluid is conducted from compression chamber 18 by way of ports 29, passages 30, ports 31, and pas sageways 34 to outlet chamber 33.

To place cylinder sleeve 15 under compressive forces and to provide a means for removing the heat generated by the friction between plunger 21 and packing assembly 19, a plurality of circumferentially spaced cooling passageways are'provided in plunger-cylinder assembly 13 to conduct the compressed fiui'd to a discharge port 35 disposed in housing 11 adjacent packing assembly 19.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 arid 3, the cooling passages are provided by forming a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves of fiut'es 36' in the outer surface ofvalve sleeve 26 and a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves or flutes 37 in the inner surface of sleeve 14. Flutes 36 in valve sleeve'26 form with the surface of bore 12 a plurality of passageways 38. Flutes 37' in sleeve 14 define with cylinder sleeve 15 and packing cups-seal rings 20 of lunger packing assembly 19 a plurality of assageways 39. To communicate passageways 39' with disa charge port 35, sleeve 14 is provide with an annular groove 40 in the outer periphery thereof and with a plurality of spaced, radially extending holes 41 in the wall of the sleeve. Each of the holes 41 is in communication with the annular groove 40 and with one of the passageways 39. As the compressed fluid flows through passageways 39, it absorbs the heat generated by the friction between plunger 21 and plunger packing assembly 19 so that the latter is maintained relatively cool to thereby provide the plunger packing with a longer operative life as well as prevent a binding condition between the plunger packing assembly and plunger 21.

In the operation of the compressor according to this invention, the fluid to be compressed is drawn into compression chamber 18 on the suction stroke of plunger 21 through inlet passageway 27, past inlet valve 28 which is unseated by the differential pressure thereacross, and through ports 29. The fluid compressed in compression chamber 18 on the discharge stroke of plunger 21 is discharged through ports 29 and passages 30, past outlet valve 32 which is unseated by the differential pressure exerted thereon, through ports 31 and passageways 34, and into outlet chamber 33. From the outlet chamber 33 the compressed fluid flows through passageways 38 formed by flutes 36 in valve sleeve 26, thereby placing the sleeve and valve body sections 23, 24, and 25 under compressive forces. From passageways 38 the compressed fluid flows into the through passageways 39 formed by flutes 37 in leeve 14 to thereby place cylinder sleeve 15 and plunger packing assembly 19 under compression. In addition to placing sleeve 15 and plunger packing assembly 19 under compressive forces, the fluid absorbs the heat generated by the friction between reciprocating plunger 21 and the plunger packing. The heated compressed fluid then flows to discharge port 35 via holes 41 and annular groove 40 to a place of use or to another compressor for further compression.

In FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 is shown a compressor 10A according to another embodiment of the present invention, which compressor is structurally and functionally similar to compressor 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 except that the absorption of frictional heat is achieved by the flowing fluid to be compressed adjacent the plunger packing assembly rather than the compressed fluid. Since the compressor shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 is very similar in construction to that of compressor 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the parts of compressor 10A corresponding to like parts of compressor 10 will be designated by the, same reference number with a suffix A added thereto.

Compressor 10A has a valve assembly 22A of the same construction as that of the valve assembly shown in FIG. of my US. Patent No. 3,077,899, wherein the valve body consists of a plurality of abutting sections 45, 46, 47, and 48 disposed within bore 12A of housing 11A. As shown, valve body section 46 is provided with an annular groove 49 which defines with the surface of bore 12A a fluid inlet chamber 50. A plurality of circumferentially spaced ports 51 are provided in valve body section 46 to communicate inlet chamber 50 with a chamber 52 formed between valve body sections 45 and 46. An axial port 53 is provided in valve body section 45, which port communicates at one end with compression chamber 18A and at the-opposite end with chamber 52 and an axial bore 54 in valve body section 46. Axial bore 54 is counterbored at 55 to communicate bore 54 with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending ports 56 formed in valve body section 47. Valve body section 48 is provided with an axial discharge passageway 57 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced discharger passageways 58 arranged concentrically around passageway 57. Discharge passageways 57 and 58 communicate with an axial chamber 59 defined between valve body sections 47 and 48.

To control the communication between ports 51 and chamber 52, a ring-shaped, spring-biased inlet valve 60 is provided in valve body section 45.

The control of the communication between ports 56 and chamber 59 is achieved by a ring-shaped, spring-biased outlet valve 61 disposed in valve body section 48.

Plunger packing assembly 19A is similar to plunger packing assembly 19 of compressor 10 except that each of the packing cups of the packing cups-seal rings 20A, instead of being of a single-ring construction, is of a tworing construction, the outer rings 62 being concentrically disposed on an inner ring 63. The one-ring construction could be used in compressor 10A equally as well as the two-ring construction shown in FIG. 4.

A fluid inlet port 64 is provided in housing 11A in place of discharge port 35 shown in compressor 10.

To communicate inlet port 64 with inlet chamber 50 at valve assembly 22A, sleeve 14A, outer rings 62 of seal rings 29A, and valve body sections 45 and 46 are each provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending grooves or flutes 37A. Flutes 37A of sleeve 14A, outer rings 62, and valve body sections 45 and 46 are in endwise registry so that a continuous flow path is defined between flutes 37A and the surface of bore 12A and extends from inlet port 64 to inlet chamber 50 of valve assembly 22A. To effect the communication between inlet port 64 and all of the flow paths, the two outer rings 62 adjacent inlet port 64 have reduced portions to define with bore 12A an annular chamber 65.

In the operation of compressor 10A, the fluid to be compressed enters inlet port 64 from a suitable source of fluid and flows int-o chamber 65. From chamber 65 the fluid flows into and through flutes 37A formed in outer rings 62, sleeve 14A, and valve body sections 45 and 46 and thence into inlet chamber 50. In passing through flutes 37A, the fluid absorbs the heat of the friction generated between plunger 21A and plunger packing assembly 19A. Prom inlet chamber 50 the fluid flows through ports 51, past inlet valve 60 on the suction stroke of plunger 21A, and into chamber 52. From chamber 52 the fluid flows into compression chamber 18A by Way of axial port 53. The compressed fluid flows from chamber 18A, through axial port 53, bore 54, and counterbored portion 55, into ports 56. From ports 56 the fluid flows past outlet valve 61, which is unseated by reason of the diflerential pressure exerted thereon, and thence into chamber 59 and discharge passageways 57 and 58. From discharge passageways57 and 58 the fluid is conducted .to a place of use or for further compression.

Since some fluids, as, for example, air, upon compression are heated to relatively high temperatures, which heat is conducted to the components of the compressor, the compressor according to this invention has application to the compression of fluids which are cooled or refrigerated prior to delivery to the compressor or to the compression of fluids, such as ethylene .gas, which do not heat appreciably upon compression.

It is believed now readily apparent that a means for removing the heat of the friction from a compressor, which means does not require a separate source of cooling fluid or external conduits, has been provided.

Although two embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Various changes can be made in the arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A compressor comprising (a) a housing,

(b) a bore in said housing,

(c) a sleeve lining said bore,

(d) a valve assembly in said bore,

(e) a plunger disposed in said bore for reciprocatiom (f) a packing assembly surrounding said plunger,

(g) said sleeve, valve assembly, and packing assembly defining therebetween a compression'chamber,

(h) said valve assembly being provided with valve members for controlling the flow of the fluid to be compressed into the compression chamber and the compressed fluid out of said compression chamber,

(i) a fluid port in said housing adjacent said packing assembly, and

(j) a longitudinal internal passage defined between the bore and the sleeve and between the bore and said packing assembly and communicating with said fluid port and said compression chamber though said valve assembly to conduct the fluidbeitween the fluid port and the compression chamber for absorbing the heat generated by the friction between the plunger and the packing assembly.

2. A compressor comprising (a) a housing,

(b) a bore in saidhousing to provide a compression chamber,

(c) a plunger disposedin said bore for 'reciprocation in said compression chamber,

((1) .a plunge'rpackingassembly disposed to surround said plunger to prevent the fluid flow past said plunger-from said compression chamber,

(e) a sleeve in said borelining said compression chamber,

(f) a valve assembly in said bore adjacent said compression chamber and remote from said plunger packing assembly to control the flow of the fiuid into and from the compression chamber,

(g) a fluid port in said housing adjacent said packing assembly and remote from said valve means, and (h) a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced internal passages defined between the bore and the sleeve and between the valve assembly and the bore communicating with the fluid port and the compression chamber to conduct the fluid between the fluid port and the compression chamber for absorbing the heat generated by the friction between the plunger and the plunger packing assembly.

3. A compressor comprising (a) a housing,

(b) a bore in said housing to provide a compression chamber,

(c) a plunger disposed in said bore for reciprocation in said compression chamber,

(d) a sleeve at least partially lining said bore,

(e) a valve assembly in said bore adjacent said compression chamber and having inlet flow passage means for conducting the fluid into said compression chamher and outlet flow passage means for conducting the fluid out of the compression chamber,

(f) a plunger packing in said bore and surrounding said plunger to prevent the flow of the fluid past the plunger from the compression chamber,

g) a fluid inlet port in said housing adjacent said plunger packing to receive the fluid to be compressed, and

(h) a plurality of longitudinal grooves in said sleeve to define with said bore a plurality of passageways communicating with the fluid inlet port and the inlet flow passage means in said valve assembly to conduct the inlet fluid to be compressed in heat exchange relationship with the plunger packing to absorb the heat generated by the friction between the plunger and the plunger packing.

4. A compressor comprising (a) a housing,

(b) a bore in said housing to provide a compression chamber,

(c) a plunger disposed in said bore for reciprocation in said compression chamber,

((1) a sleeve at least partially lining said bore,

(e) a valve assembly in said here adjacent said'compression chamber and having inlet flow passage means for conducting the fluid into said compression cham ber and outlet flow passage means for conducting the compressed fluid out of the compression chamber,

(f) a plunger packing in said bore and surrounding said plunger to prevent the fluid flow past the plunger from the compression chamber,

(g) a fluid discharge port in said housing adjacent the plunger packing to conduct the compressed fluid from the housing, and

(h) a plurality of longitudinal grooves in said sleeve to define with'said bore a plurality of passageways communicating with the fluid discharge port and the outlet flow passage means in the valve assembly to conduct the compressedfluid from the compression chamber to the fluid discharge port and in heat exchange relationship with the plunger packing to absonb the heat generated by the friction between the plunger and the plunger packing.

5. A compressor comprising (a) a housing,

(b) a bore in said housing,

(c) a sleeve means at least partially lining said bore,

'(d) a plunger disposed coaxially within said sleeve means for reciprocation therein,

(e) a plunger packing assembly disposed to surround a portion of said plunger and abutting the plunger and the sleeve means,

(f) a valve assembly'disposed within said sleeve means axially spaced from said plunger packing assembly to define with the latter and the sleeve means a compression chamber,

(g) said valve assembly having fluid inlet passageway means for communicating the compression chamber with a source of fluid to be compressed and outlet passageway means for conducting the compressed fluid from the compression chamber, and

(h) a fluid discharge port in said housing adjacent said plunger packing assembly,

(i) said sleeve means having a plurality of longitudinal grooves to provide a plurality of flow paths communicating with the outlet passageway means of said valve and said fluid discharge port to conduct the compressed fluid past said plunger packing to absorb the heat generated by the friction between the plunger and the plunger packing assembly.

6. A compressor comprising (a) a housing,

(b) a bore in said housing,

(c) a first sleeve at least partially lining said bore,

(d) a plunger disposed coaxially within said first sleeve for axial reciprocation within said bore,

(e) a plunger packing assembly disposed in said first sleeve and surrounding said plunger,

('f) a second sleeve within said bore adjacent said first sleeve,

(g) a valve assembly disposed within said second sleeve and spaced from said plunger packing assembly, (h) a third sleeve disposed within said first sleeve between the plunger packing assembly and the valve assembly to define a compression chamber,

(i) said valve assembly having a fluid inlet passageway for conducting the fluid to be compressed from a source thereof to said compression chamber and a fluid outlet passageway for conducting the compressed fluid from said compression chamber, and

(j) a fluid discharge port in said housing adjacent said plunger packing assembly,

(k) said second sleeve having a plurality of longitudinal grooves in the outer surface thereof to define with the surface of the bore a plurality of first fluid passageways communicating with the fluid outlet passageway in said valve assembly to receive the compressed fluid therefrom,

(I) said first sleeve having a plurality of longitudinal grooves in the inner surface thereof to define with the outer surface of said third sleeve and the plunger packing assembly a plurality of second fluid passageways communicating with said first fluid passageways and said fluid discharge port to conduct the compressed fluid in heat exchange relationship with the plunger packing to absorb the heat from the latter.

7. A compressor comprising (a) a housing,

(b) a bore in said housing,

(c) a plunger disposed coaxially within said bore for axial reciprocation therein,

((1) a plunger packing assembly disposed in said bore and surrounding said plunger,

(e) a valve assembly disposed within said bore in axially spaced relation to said plunger packing assembly to define with the latter and the bore a compression chamber,

(f) a sleeve disposed in the space between the valve assembly and the packing assembly to line the compression chamber,

(g) said valve assembly having fluid inlet passage means communicating with the compression chamber and the outer peripheral surface 'of the valve assembly and fluid discharge passage means for conducting the compressed fluid from the compression chamber to a place of use, and

(h) a fluid inlet port disposed in the housing and adjacent to the plunger packing assembly,

(i) said valve assembly having a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced grooves in the outer surface thereof to define with the bore a plurality of first passageways communicating with the inlet passage means of said valve assembly,

(j) said sleeve having a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced grooves in the outer surface thereof to define with the surface of said bore a plurality of second passageways communicating with said plurality of first passageways,

(k) said plunger packing assembly having a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced grooves to define with said bore a plurality of third passageways communicating with said fluid inlet port and the plurality of second passageways to conduct the flow of the fluid to be compressed in heat exchange relationship with the plunger packing assembly to absorb the heat from the latter.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 19,210 6/34 Tursky 230231 2,292,617 8/42 Dana 103153 3,145,629 8/64 Gottzmann 103l53 X DONLEY J. STOCKING, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT M. WALKER, Examiner. 

1. A COMPRESSOR COMPRISING (A) A HOUSING, (B) A BORE IN SAID HOUSING, (C) A SLEEVE LINING SAID BORE, (D) A VALVE ASSEMBLY IN SAID BORE, (E) A PLUNGER DISPOSED IN SAID BORE FOR FOR RECIPROCATION, (F) A PACKING ASSEMBLY SURROUNDING SAID PLUNGER, (G) SAID SLEEVE, VALVE ASSEMBLY, AND PACKING ASSEMBLY DEFINING THEREBETWEEN A COMPRESSION CHAMBER (H) SAID VALVE ASSEMBLY BEING PROVIDED WITH VALVE MEMBERS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF THE FLUID TO BE COMPRESSED INTO THE COMPRESSION CHAMBER AND THE COMPRESSED FLUID OUT OF SAID COMPRESSION CHAMBER (I) A FLUIS PORT IN SAID HOUSING ADJACENT SAID PACKING ASSEMBLY, AND (J) A LONGITUDINAL INTERNAL PASSAGE DEFINED BETWEEN THE BORE AND THE SLEEVE AND BETWEEN THE BORE AND SAID PACKING ASSEMBLY AND COMMUNICATING WITH SAID FLUID PORT AND SAID COMPRESSION CHAMBER THOUGH SAID VALVE ASSEMBLY TO CONDUCT THE FLUID BETWEEN THE FLUID PORT AND THE COMPRESSION CHAMBER FOR ABSORBING THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE FRICTION BETWEEN THE PLUNGER AND THE PACKING ASSEMBLY. 